How to break the cycle?

[HipFlask]

I am in a bit of a spot right now when it comes to the enjoyment of whiskey in that if it isn't my favorite pour, it is compared to my favorite and when it doesn't rival my fav it is somewhat disappointing. I have enough experience to know that this a phaze I am in, but I have been stuck for quite a while and I am letting this effect my enjoyment of this years BTAC. Espacailly since I have limited funds in the buget for Bourbon/whiskey. "Why am I spending all of this time and money on super premiums if they are not the best?"

1. Have you ever found your self in this situation?

2. What have you done to open up your taste to a variety again?

Maybe just bunker the favorite for a while to forget just how good it is.

BTW the favorite is the 13 yr rye from VW. shh!!! don't tell anyone.

[squire]

I don't make too much of the flash whiskies, they are fine, sometimes worth the price, sometimes worth more and unfortunately sometimes less. I when I pay more I expect to get more, in flavor, refinement, complexity, yes, in short more of all the fine qualities melded together in a seamless whole that makes it stand apart. But just because it costs a lot doesn't mean it meets that mark and sometimes a standard like 100 proof Old Forester can be more satisfying than something that costs a multiple of its price.

Squire

[TNbourbon]

I am in a bit of a spot right now when it comes to the enjoyment of whiskey in that if it isn't my favorite pour, it is compared to my favorite and when it doesn't rival my fav it is somewhat disappointing. I have enough experience to know that this a phaze I am in, but I have been stuck for quite a while and I am letting this effect my enjoyment of this years BTAC. Espacailly since I have limited funds in the buget for Bourbon/whiskey. "Why am I spending all of this time and money on super premiums if they are not the best?"

1. Have you ever found your self in this situation?

2. What have you done to open up your taste to a variety again?

Maybe just bunker the favorite for a while to forget just how good it is.

BTW the favorite is the 13 yr rye from VW. shh!!! don't tell anyone.

Ah, Grasshopper (I mean, Tim) -- this is where you 'grow'. I came to bourbon third -- after dalliances with rum (early) and wine (more mature), and have enjoyed beer for the first time since discovering bourbon. I now enjoy all. When I tire of bourbon, I find myself revisiting those. I've also weaned myself from others' views about how bourbon is best enjoyed. For example, I consider drinking Stagg straight as nothing more than penis comparison -- all it does is numb your tongue! I mean, get over it! Stagg is good whiskey, but it's even better when you can, you know, taste it!

I find myself drowning more and more whiskey in cola and ginger ale, among other things. Bottom line, I drink it the way I want it. Once in a while -- once this week, I think -- that's even still neat.

Now's your chance, Tim -- don't waste it!

[squire]

Drinking Stagg straight reminds me of the cartoon of the young dragons sitting on the couch staying up all night lighting their breath.

Squire

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

One thing you might consider is bunkering the stuff that you aren't enjoying so much now and come back to it later. I often find that I only occationally want a particular whiskey, but when I do, it is the world's best pour. On another night, it is just good.

Drink that Rye while it is what trips your trigger. When you notice that it is merely very good, look your stash over and see which bottle calls to you.

Ed

[Sweetmeats]

I like drinking Stagg straight. If you sip it very slow you can taste it just fine.

[ratcheer]

No, I almost never have that problem. I can enjoy low (but not bottom) shelf, mid-shelf, premium, and super premium bottlings almost any time. I can savor an Old Grand Dad 86 even though I have bottles of OGD 114, Rare Breed, and Rock Hill Farms open and on my same shelf. It just isn't a problem, for me. I enjoy each for what it is.

Tim

[melting]

I currently have about 30 open bottles and rarely drink the same thing two night in a row. I think on some level I am trying to avoid the situation that you are currently experiencing.

I love Ardbeg but won't have it more than once a month or so. The only exception is Rare Breed. I have a real problem with it. If it gets opened it gets finished rather quickly. I just have to pour from that bottle. I bought 4 the last time it went on sale and have hidden all of them. Put them in the cabinet in the basement with 6 bottles of Eagle Rare, the Van Winkle's I just bought and 2 each of last years and this years Stagg.

Chris

[Chaz7]

One thing you might consider is bunkering the stuff that you aren't enjoying so much now and come back to it later. I often find that I only occationally want a particular whiskey, but when I do, it is the world's best pour. On another night, it is just good.

Drink that Rye while it is what trips your trigger. When you notice that it is merely very good, look your stash over and see which bottle calls to you.

Ed

Or, do the opposite; bunker that rye. Of course there is always trying that bottom BOTTOM shelf and then EVERYTHING will taste better. It will be so far off from your reference pour...

[ThomasH]

I have the names of all the bottles I own on slips of paper in a box and when I'm in the mood for a drink, I just draw a name. Before I throw the name of my current drink back, I pick another so I don't get a duplicate. If I want something specific I just get it off the shelf. If I pick a name and don't feel like drinking it, I pick another and throw the first one back in the box. Holidays such as Thanksgiving are obvious, 2 courses of Turkey, the Honeysuckle variety and the Wild variety, not necessarily in that order. On my birthday, It is always I.W.Harper, not my favorite, but the same as my last name. This system works well as it makes the supply of top shelf whiskey last longer and also make me appreciate great whiskey more by mixing in more ordinary brands!

Thomas

[Special Reserve]

Thomas,

In my house, Birthday Bourbon is for birthdays.

Enjoy.

Will